Anchorage

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Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, lies between the mountains and the sea and yet is no stranger to the wilderness. There is no other urban area like it.

About Anchorage

Among the northernmost cities on Earth, Anchorage is a place with big-city amenities: fine restaurants, museums, theaters and an excellent music scene. Creating the backdrop are the salmon-rich waters of Cook Inlet and the 5,000-foot-plus peaks of Chugach State Park. Within a short drive from downtown are dozens of wilderness adventures and a short plane ride opens up the possibility of almost any type adventure. That’s one reason why Anchorage’s Lake Hood is the world’s busiest floatplane base. Anchorage’s 284,994 residents embrace both the urban amenities and the wilderness beyond it.

Things to do

Anchorage features dozens of parks and 122 miles of paved bike paths. Warmed by a maritime climate, you can spend the day fishing Ship Creek downtown, hiking the nearby mountains, photographing glaciers and dining at a four-star restaurant. Within a 15-minute drive from downtown is the tree-lined trailhead of Anchorage’s most popular hike, Flattop Mountain. In winter, the city transforms into fluffy white playground, with 130 kilometers of maintained Nordic ski trails, dog sledding, ice skating, snowmobiling, ice sculptures and more. Just 45 minutes away is Alaska’s premier alpine ski resort, Alyeska Resort.

Getting here and around

Anchorage technically stretches across 1,955 square miles, from the Alaska Native village of Eklutna all the way to Portage Glacier south of town. Anchorage’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the state’s main air hub, and it’s no stretch to say all roads (in Alaska anyway) lead to Anchorage as well. Paved highways accessible from Anchorage connect to places like Fairbanks, Valdez, the Kenai Peninsula, Denali National Park and Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The Alaska Railroad’s main passenger depot is located in Anchorage and runs from Seward to Fairbanks.

History

Anchorage wasn’t officially founded until 1915, even though British explorer Captain James Cook sailed past the site in 1779 and gold prospectors discovered the bounty of Ship Creek in the late 1800s. It wasn’t until the Alaska Railroad set up a construction camp in 1915 that Anchorage was established and became a booming tent city of 2,000 people. Anchorage proved to be the ideal center for Alaska's rail, air and highway systems with the military build up of World War II and the discovery of oil in Cook Inlet in the 1950s, adding to its steady growth. After the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, the city was rebuilding itself when another opportunity arose: the discovery of a $10-billion oil reserve in Prudhoe Bay. Though the Trans-Alaska Pipeline doesn't come within 185 miles of Anchorage, the city became the headquarters of various petroleum and service companies.

Anchorage

Anchorage is centrally located in Alaska, 358 miles south of Fairbanks and 127 miles north of Seward. More than 200 domestic and international flights service the city daily. Seattle is only 3.5 hours away via jet. You can also drive to Anchorage from the Lower 48 or Canada via the Alaska Highway and the Glenn Highway, which leads right into the city's downtown. From Anchorage, you can drive north to Fairbanks along the Parks Highway or south toward the famous Kenai Peninsula and the communities of Girdwood, Seward, Soldotna, Kenai and Homer via the Seward and Sterling highways. The Alaska Railroad's main passenger depot is in Anchorage and its trains travels north to Denali National Park and Fairbanks and south to Whittier and Seward from the city.

Discover awesome beauty! Enjoy a day tour to view glaciers, wildlife and mountains, hike on a glacier or visit a sled dog kennel. Other options available. The owner/guides are 40-year residents dedicated to providing you an authentic, fun and personal experience. Hotel pick-up and admissions included. Year round. Small groups.

Discover awesome beauty! Enjoy a day tour to view glaciers, wildlife and mountains, hike on a glacier or visit a sled dog kennel. Other options available. The owner/guides are 40-year residents dedicated to providing you an authentic, fun and personal experience. Hotel pick-up and admissions included. Year round. Small groups.

Discover awesome beauty! Enjoy a day tour to view glaciers, wildlife and mountains, hike on a glacier or visit a sled dog kennel. Other options available. The owner/guides are 40-year residents dedicated to providing you an authentic, fun and personal experience. Hotel pick-up and admissions included. Year round. Small groups.

See why ABC's customers are happy campers! For over 28 years, ABC has offered early booking discounts; lowest prices; best fleet & by far, the best customer service. It's as easy as ABC - no hidden fees; no mileage charges; bedding & cookware included; free shuttle; the only RV company at the Anchorage airport.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a premier cultural center sharing the rich heritage of Alaska's 11 major cultural groups. Visitors experience Alaska Native culture first-hand through engaging storytelling, authentic Native song and dance, artist demonstrations, Native Games demonstrations and more. Unique opportunities to interact and participate create an enlightening educational experience for young and old alike.The Heritage Center, located ten miles from downtown Anchorage, is situated on 26 wooded acres. Inside – the Hall of Cultures, Theatre and Gathering place are home to many of our activities and demonstrations. Outside – guests stroll through six authentic life-sized Native dwellings surrounding beautiful LakeTiulana and are introduced to the traditional life ways of the Indigenous people of Alaska.Contact us for more information or visit us online.

A premier cultural center sharing the rich heritage of Alaska's cultural groups. Visitors experience Alaska Native culture first-hand. Guests stroll through six authentic life-sized Native village sites and are introduced to the traditions of Indigenous people of Alaska.

Spend a day spotting wildlife on a glacier cruise in Kenai Fjords or Prince William Sound; rafting in a glacial lake; guided hiking on backcountry Spencer Glacier; or viewing Alaska's famed wildlife at a premier conservation center. All these and more available as day trips with the Alaska Railroad! Daily summer departures from Anchorage and Girdwood.

A visit to Alaska Wild Berry Park is a unique opportunity to experience our state in a variety of ways.

Year round, we make our own Jams and Jellies right here, as well as a complete line of chocolates including turtles, truffles, bonbons, and our own special jelly filled chocolates. You can watch as we create! Our gift shop offers an excellent selection for souvenirs, gift giving and home decorating! And of course, a visit here is not complete without viewing The World’s Largest Chocolate Fall!!!

Summertime offers even more options like viewing one of our three spectacular Alaskan movies in our state of the art theater, enjoying one of our overly abundant fresh sandwiches from our deli, treating yourself to our fresh Alaskan made hand-dipped ice-cream, and of course visiting up close and personal with our resident reindeer.

Home of the World's Largest Chocolate Fall. Take a photo with our giant rock man Inukshuk. Browse through our gift shop. Take a self-guided tour of our candy kitchens. Sample delicious chocolates and then make a selection from our 40ft. candy counter. Open year round, come visit us at

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, public education, and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and provides spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Animals that cannot be released into the wild are given a permanent home at the center.

AWCC provides visitors with the opportunity to view Alaskan wildlife up close. AWCC encourages you to visit the center with your walking shoes and camera in hand for an educational Alaskan experience to remember. We thank you in advance for your support and assistance in preserving Alaskan wildlife.

The Alaska Zoo is a private, nonprofit providing a home for orphaned, injured and endangered animals. Just 15 minutes from downtown Anchorage, we have the widest variety of Alaskan animals in the state. We're open daily, year-round and are located at

Dedicated to making you feel at home in the Great Land! Close to the airport, 123 oversized, non-smoking guest rooms. Free shuttle to airports, seaports & railroad, complimentary continental breakfast, free WiFi, free large walk-in freezer, free park'n fly, meeting space. Microwave and fridge in all rooms.

Alyeska Resort is Alaska's premier year-round destination featuring luxurious accommodations with modern touches and rich Native Alaskan heritage. Located just 40 miles from Anchorage, the resort is within close proximity to many attractions. Alyeska Resort stands out during ski season with 643” of average snowfall annually. The Aerial Tram offers scenic rides with panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm, hanging glaciers and Chugach Mountains.

Accommodations: The Hotel Alyeska is set in a lush valley surrounded by nature. With 304 guest rooms, the hotel offers high-speed internet, room service, salt water pool and whirlpool with mountain views. The Spa at Alyeska offers massage, facials and body treatments.

Dining: Recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award, Seven Glaciers offers mountain views and delectable dishes featuring local ingredients. At the hotel, you will find casual and family-friendly spots plus a sushi bar and café.

Value, comfort, service, convenience, and warm Alaskan hospitality await your arrival at the Americas Best Value Inn - Executive Suite Hotel in breathtaking Anchorage. Conveniently located off of AK-1/Seward Highway, the hotel is just two miles from the airport and less than 10 minutes from historic downtown.

Americas Best Value Inn is a family of 900 inns, hotels, and suites located throughout North America. Convenient locations and a variety of accommodations make our hotels ideal for the leisure and business traveler. Guests enjoy High Speed Internet, free HBO and continental breakfast at most locations and are encouraged to join the free Value Club to receive instant savings and upgrades.

On the road for business or pleasure? B&Bs are a great way to stay! AABBA links travelers seeking high quality lodging & warm Alaskan hospitality to locally owned & professionally run B&Bs that are comfortable, inspected & approved. Stay with one of our members & you'll be staying with one of the best.

Alaska's largest museum is the best way to experience Alaska's art, history, science and culture. The Alaska Gallery provides a glimpse into the state's rich history while its collections of Alaska art showcase renowned artists. The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center features 600 rare Alaska Native artifacts and the Imaginarium Discovery Center offers a hands-on experience with earthquakes, sea life touch tanks, a planetarium, and more. Open May 1 to Sept 30, 9am to 6pm. Winter hours take effect Oct. 1; Tuesday-Saturday, 10am to 6pm, Sunday noon to 6pm, closed Monday.

Alaska's largest museum is the best way to experience Alaska's art, history, science and culture. The Alaska Gallery provides a glimpse into the state's rich history while its collections of Alaska art showcase renowned artists. The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center features 600 rare Alaska Native artifacts and the Imaginarium Discovery Center offers a hands-on experience with earthquakes, sea life touch tanks, a planetarium, and more. Open May 1 to Sept 30, 9am to 6pm. Winter hours take effect Oct. 1; Tuesday-Saturday, 10am to 6pm, Sunday noon to 6pm, closed Monday.

Near downtown, coastal trail and visitor attractions. Full Alaskan breakfast featuring Alaskan flavors. This is the ideal bed and breakfast for those who like to walk and bicycle. Open May 15-Sept. 15.

Serving Alaska with over 12 locations, Avis has the fleet, locations, service and friendly staff wherever your travels take you (plus the peace of mind knowing we're close by!) Two locations in Anchorage (downtown/airport) mean we're conveniently located (free hotel pick-up from downtown hotels.) "Rent it here, leave it there" allows more flexibility with travel plans.

Hop on one of our Segways for a guided tour and explore our community. Stop on by for a delicious scoop of our Alaskan made ice cream or, try your luck for some real Alaskan gold with our gold panning experience. We also welcome you to come enjoy “The Amazing Trail,” a story on the famous Iditarod race & “Those Amazing Bears,” our amazing come to life Alaskan movies.

Hop on one of our Segways for a guided tour and explore our community. Stop on by for a delicious scoop of our Alaskan made ice cream or try your luck for some real Alaskan gold with our gold panning experience. We also welcome you to come enjoy "The Amazing Trail," a story on the famous Iditarod race & "Those Amazing Bears," our amazing come to life Alaskan movies.

The Coast International Inn's location is convenient. It is the closest hotel to the airport, minutes from downtown and a short distance from many other area attractions. A friendly staff and warm, Alaskan hospitality await your arrival. A full service restaurant and popular sports lounge overlooking scenic Lake Hood lends to your Alaska experience.

Contemporary lobby with coffee and cocktail bar and media pods. The Courtyard makes it easier to be on the road with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee-maker, pool, whirlpool, exercise room, a well lit desk, ergonomic chair, wireless; plus it's close to the airport. Choose one king or two double beds. Bistro and lounge on-site. Complimentary airport shuttle.

Located minutes from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, downtown, shopping & entertainment. Savor a pleasant meal in the JUNO restaurant or enjoy a cocktail before turning in for the night to your Sleep Advantage room. The Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown will become your favorite place to meet with over 4,000 square feet of meeting space.

Located minutes from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, downtown, shopping & entertainment. Savor a pleasant meal in the JUNO restaurant or enjoy a cocktail before turning in for the night to your Sleep Advantage room. The Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown will become your favorite place to meet with over 4,000 square feet of meeting space.

ALASKA BEAR CAMPWild Bear Viewing at our wilderness fly in Bear Camp is considered the most intimate such venue in the state. No where will you see more bears than at our private property, surrounded by a Critical ‘Bear Habitat” in Lake Clark National Park. Bear Camp has Hi Tech “Weatherport” tents, wooden floors, beds & mattresses, "en suite" privy, Eco showers & a Happy Hour that precedes the chefs dinner. View the 60 bears from elevated platforms. Bear Camp can be included in one to seven 7 day Great Alaska Adventures fishing or adventure trips

Great Alaska Adventure Lodge, an original homestead, is at the center of the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska’s playground. The deluxe lodge overlooks the confluence of the Kenai and Moose rivers and an amazing view of the snow capped Chugach Mountains and Harding Ice field.

Great Alaska Adventure Lodge, an original homestead, is at the center of the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska’s playground. The deluxe lodge overlooks the confluence of the Kenai and Moose rivers and an amazing view of the snow capped Chugach Mountains and Harding Ice field.

Find your Alaska with Great Alaskan Holidays. To experience the adventure of a lifetime, we provide you with only 2014 or newer Winnebago motorhomes for the 2015 season, guaranteed. You'll choose your motorhome from the largest, newest, & best RV maintained fleet in Alaska. Start-to-finish online reservations & you choose your own orientation & return times.

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure at GuestHouse Anchorage you can expect personal service, quality accommodations and affordable rates. Just 14 minutes from Anchorage International Airport and 5 minutes from Merrill Field and 6 blocks from the train station. GuestHouse Anchorage Inn is ideally located in the heart of Anchorage.

Breaching whales, calving glaciers, and cuddly otters are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the sights that await to be discovered with Major Marine Tours. Major Marine Tours offers glacier and wildlife cruises from Seward and Whittier, Alaska. Nine cruise options provide something for everyone, from full-day and half-day cruises into Resurrection Bay and the untouched fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park to glacier cruises in the calm, protected waters of Prince William Sound.

The Alaskan co-op that has brought exquisite Qiviut items to you as a unique northern gift since 1969. Qiviut, the downy-soft underwool from the Arctic musk ox, is shed naturally during the spring months. Eight times warmer than wool and extraordinarily lightweight, Qiviut is one of the finest natural fibers known to man. The co-op is owned by approx. 250 Native Alaskan women from remote coastal villages of Alaska who knit each item by hand. Each village has a signature pattern derived from traditional aspects of village life and the Eskimo culture.

Qiviut is not scratchy and will not shrink in any temperature of water. It can be hand-washed in any mild detergent and will last for many years.

If you are in Anchorage call or stop by our downtown store to see and feel our quality products.

An Alaskan co-operative that brings you exquisite qiviut items since 1969. All items are handknit in traditional patterns by Eskimos in remote villages. Qiviut brings softness and warmth from the Arctic musk ox to you. Open all year. Credit cards accepted. Brochure available.

Cruise to within 300 yards from the face of Portage Glacier aboard our custom sightseeing vessel, the mv Ptarmigan. Located an hour from Anchorage, this glacier cruise is a must-do tour. Enjoy a narrated tour from a U.S. Forest representative within a heated cabin or topside viewing deck. Departs 5 times a day, May-Sept.

The Puffin Inn is conveniently located near the Ted Stevens International Airport and Lake Hood and just 10 minutes from Downtown Anchorage, shopping, flight seeing, fishing and more.

Accomodations

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Puffin Inn has 4 distinct room styles to perfectly suit your needs. Our deluxe section has spacious, attractively appointed rooms with many comfortable features. Offering comfort and privacy, The Chandler Inn, which houses our boutique rooms, is a small building ½ block from the Puffin Inn. The moderate section contains spacious rooms with exterior entrances making them ideal for sportsmen or families with lots of gear. While older and much smaller, the original section rooms are a bargain for the budget traveler.

REGAL AIR is a locally owned and operated air taxi that has been in business since 1982 with a perfect safety record. We are located on the shore of Lake Hood in Anchorage, Alaska.

Flightseeing is one of the things Regal Air prides itself on. Our flightseeing tours include trips to Mt.McKinley, Knik Glacier, Blackstone Glacier, and many others. Our flightseeing tours leave daily out of Anchorage, and are the perfect fit for your stop in Anchorage.

Bear Viewing is an amazing way to see one of the greatest animals in the world in their natural environment. A Bear Viewing trip is the ultimate way to spend your day out of Anchorage, watch these wild creatures as they frolic with their bear cubs and catch salmon

REGAL AIR is a locally owned and operated air taxi that has been in business since 1982 with a perfect safety record. We are located on the shore of Lake Hood in Anchorage, Alaska.

Flightseeing is one of the things Regal Air prides itself on. Our flightseeing tours include trips to Mt.McKinley, Knik Glacier, Blackstone Glacier, and many others. Our flightseeing tours leave daily out of Anchorage, and are the perfect fit for your stop in Anchorage.

Bear Viewing is an amazing way to see one of the greatest animals in the world in their natural environment. A Bear Viewing trip is the ultimate way to spend your day out of Anchorage, watch these wild creatures as they frolic with their bear cubs and catch salmon

REGAL AIR is a locally owned and operated air taxi that has been in business since 1982 with a perfect safety record. We are located on the shore of Lake Hood in Anchorage, Alaska.

Flightseeing is one of the things Regal Air prides itself on. Our flightseeing tours include trips to Mt.McKinley, Knik Glacier, Blackstone Glacier, and many others. Our flightseeing tours leave daily out of Anchorage, and are the perfect fit for your stop in Anchorage.

Bear Viewing is an amazing way to see one of the greatest animals in the world in their natural environment. A Bear Viewing trip is the ultimate way to spend your day out of Anchorage, watch these wild creatures as they frolic with their bear cubs and catch salmon

Rust’s Flying Service is the premier operator of Alaska flightseeing tours and interesting Alaska day trips in Anchorage. Family-owned and operated since 1963, Rust’s has an unsurpassed safety record and an overwhelming enthusiasm for Alaska aviation.

With an experienced crew of Alaska bush pilots and our dependable fleet of Cessna (including a Caravan), deHavilland Beaver and Turbine Otter seaplanes, we are proud to offer once in a lifetime adventures to some of the most awe inspiring places in the last frontier.

Rust’s Flying Service is the premier operator of Alaska flightseeing tours and interesting Alaska day trips in Anchorage. Family-owned and operated since 1963, Rust’s has an unsurpassed safety record and an overwhelming enthusiasm for Alaska aviation.

With an experienced crew of Alaska bush pilots and our dependable fleet of Cessna (including a Caravan), deHavilland Beaver and Turbine Otter seaplanes, we are proud to offer once in a lifetime adventures to some of the most awe inspiring places in the last frontier.

Rust’s Flying Service is the premier operator of Alaska flightseeing tours and interesting Alaska day trips in Anchorage. Family-owned and operated since 1963, Rust’s has an unsurpassed safety record and an overwhelming enthusiasm for Alaska aviation.

With an experienced crew of Alaska bush pilots and our dependable fleet of Cessna (including a Caravan), deHavilland Beaver and Turbine Otter seaplanes, we are proud to offer once in a lifetime adventures to some of the most awe inspiring places in the last frontier.

Bear viewing, flightseeing, glacier dog sledding, fly in kayaking, fishing and glacier landings: the only way to see Alaska is by air. Join Rust’s flying service out of Anchorage for a flightseeing trip to witness the majestic wilds of the last frontier. With over 50 years experience, Rust’s will take you flying to some of the most amazing wilderness that Alaska has to offer. Come fly with us!

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

See Alaska's beauty through expert local eyes! Our professional guides offer escorted day tours or multi-day adventures, focused on sharing authentic Alaska experiences in a small group setting. Enjoy glaciers, wildlife and mountain vistas around the Anchorage area or let us customize an itinerary just for you.

Located on the shores of Lake Hood, we are a wilderness lodge in the heart of the city. Amenities include tour desk, Wi-Fi, shuttle service, fitness & business centers, and gift shop, with casual, upscale, and outdoor dining, all with sweeping views. Private float plane dock with storage & freezer space. Call

Recently remodeled rooms and suites await your stay at The Voyager Inn. New features include luxurious bedding and linens, designer bathrooms and kitchenettes renovated with granite countertops. Located in downtown Anchorage, The Voyager Inn is just steps away from many of the city’s prime attractions, including the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall, the breathtaking Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and dozens of the city’s top restaurants. The Voyager Inn also stands in the center of Anchorage’s business district.

Anchorage has two locations: One at the Anchorage airport and another off airport on Spenard Road and Minnesota Drive. We rent some of the newest cars in Anchorage. Cars, mini-vans, SUV's. For more information FAX 1-907-279-1326. Call 1-800-THRIFTY. E-mail: info@thriftyalaska.com.

Find accessible glaciers, 1,500 resident moose, views of Mount McKinley and 300 miles of wilderness trails all in one place. At the heart of air, road and rail travel in Alaska, Anchorage has phenomenal access to national parks and countless outdoor adventures. The city blends the best of these natural wonders with urban amenities including tax-free shopping, a wide range of accommodations and a surprising culinary diversity. Anchorage also turns 100 in 2015 and will celebrate its centennial for a whole year.

Maximize your visit to Alaska - order your Official Guide to Anchorage today.

Upon arrival, visit with friendly locals at the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center in the heart of downtown.

Find accessible glaciers, 1,500 resident moose, views of Mount McKinley and 300 miles of wilderness trails all in one place. At the heart of air, road and rail travel in Alaska, Anchorage has phenomenal access to national parks and countless outdoor adventures. The city blends the best of these natural wonders with urban amenities including tax-free shopping, a wide range of accommodations and a surprising culinary diversity. Anchorage also turns 100 in 2015 and will celebrate its centennial for a whole year.

Maximize your visit to Alaska - order your Official Guide to Anchorage today.

Upon arrival, visit with friendly locals at the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center in the heart of downtown.

Perfectly located in the heart of downtown with 200 rooms & suites. Each spacious room has a private balcony and free Wi-Fi. Close to Egan and Dena'ina Convention Centers and across the street from the Performing Arts Center. Room service, Solstice Bar & Grill, & fitness center.

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On the south shore of Lake Hood, the world's busiest floatplane lake, is the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. The museum serves as a tribute to Alaska's famous bush pilots and is home to 25 planes along with historic photos and displays of pilots' achievements, from the first flight to Fairbanks (1913) to the early history of Alaska Airlines. You can view early footage of bush planes in the museum's theater or step outside to its large observation deck and watch bush pilots begin take off with a roar on Lake Hood.

Alaska Botanical Garden +

Alaska Botanical Garden is a colorful showcase for native species, where gentle paths lead visitors through groomed herb, rock and perennial gardens in a wooded setting. The mile-long Lowenfels Family Nature Trail is designed to teach visitors about native Alaska plants.

Alaska Native Heritage Center +

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a 26-acre complex that allows visitors to experience Alaska Native culture without having to go to the Bush to find it. The main cultural center includes exhibits on traditional arts and sciences as well live performances of native song, storytelling and dance. Outside around a picturesque lake is a village of typical structures from the Aleut, Yupik, Tlingit and other tribes from Alaska where visitors can watch artists practice their ancient skills from carving ivory to intriguing beadwork.

Alaska Public Lands Information Center +

The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is the place to head for information and maps on hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, camping, renting a wilderness cabin or just about anything else you might want to do outdoors in Alaska. There are also excellent wildlife displays, free movies, fun dioramas, and a daily guided Captain Cook walk to Resolution Park, covering the sea captain's travels in Alaska.

Alaska State Trooper Museum +

One of Anchorage's most unusual attractions is the Alaska State Trooper Museum. Dedicated to preserving law enforcement starting when Alaska was a territory, the exhibits at the museum range from a 1952 Hudson Hornet cop car and state-issued sealskin cop boots to a tribute to Fran Howard, the nation's first unrestricted female police officer.

Alaska Zoo +

The unique wildlife of the Arctic is on display at the Alaska Zoo, the only zoo in North America that specializes in northern animals. The zoo focuses on Alaska Native species, ranging from wolverines and moose to caribou and Dall sheep. The most popular species with visitors, naturally, are bears. The Alaska Zoo has all four Alaskan species (brown, black, glacier and polar).

Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge +

Located 12 miles southwest of Anchorage, Potter Marsh was created in 1916, when Alaska Railroad work crews dammed several streams during construction. Today it's officially Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, Anchorage's best destination for birding where from boardwalk trails you can view ducks, songbirds, grebes and gulls.

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous and the Iditarod +

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, or simply the "Rondy" as most locals refer to it, is one of the best winter festivals in Alaska. Participants sculpt ice, ride the Ferris wheel in freezing temperatures, or watch the Running of the Reindeer. Following the two-week Fur Rendezvous is the ceremonial start of the 1100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race when 30 to 40 teams depart from downtown Anchorage.

Anchorage Market and Festival +

Anchorage Market & Festival is a popular outdoor market held downtown on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Along with more than 100 vendors selling everything from giant veggies and birch syrup, there is also great food and live music.

Anchorage Museum of History and Art +

Recently renovated to the tune of $75 million, the Anchorage Museum of History & Art is Alaska's cultural jewel. The first floor is dedicated to the arts and has the Art of the North Gallery with entire rooms occupied by Alaskan masters Eustace Ziegler and Sydney Laurence. The Alaska Gallery on the 2nd floor is filled with life-size dioramas that trace 10,000 years of human settlement from early subsistence villages to modern oil dependency.

Delaney Park +

Delaney Park is a narrow slice of park stretching from A to P Streets that is known by locals as the Park Strip. It was the site of the 50-ton bonfire celebrating statehood in 1959 and Pope John Paul II's 1981 outdoor mass. Today it's the site of numerous festivals like Summer Solstice.

Earthquake Park +

Located on the west side of Anchorage, Earthquake Park was a rubble of barren land after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. Today visitors have to poke around the bushes to see evidence of tectonic upheaval at this delightful park but interpretive displays still tell the story of what Anchorage went through on the ill-fated day.

Far North Bicentennial Park +

Far North Bicentennial Park is like a slice of wilderness in the middle of Anchorage. The 4000-acre preserve includes forest, muskeg and 20 miles of trails. During the summer the streams are full of spawning salmon while visitors often see moose and bears here in the spring and brilliant fall colors in mid-September.

Flightseeing tours +

A wide range of flightseeing tours are available in Anchorage, each offering an eagle-eye view of the wilderness, glaciers and mountains that lie outside the city. Many head to Prince William Sound for tours of Blackstone Glacier or even Columbia Glacier. Others head north for Knik Glacier or Mount McKinley.

Goose Lake +

Goose Lake is where residents and visitors in Anchorage head to on a hot summer day. The park is the city's most developed lake for swimming with lifeguards, paddleboat rentals and a small cafe.

H2Oasis Waterpark +

H2Oasis Waterpark is a three-level amusement zone of watery fun with palm trees, water slides and a wave pool. The 505-foot Master Blaster is the wettest roller coaster in Alaska.

Heritage Library Museum +

The Heritage Library Museum is home to one of the largest collections of Alaska Native artifacts in the city and includes costumes, baskets and hunting weapons. There are also original paintings covering walls, including several by Sydney Laurence and lots of scrimshaw. The museum's collection is so large that there are displays in the elevator lobbies throughout the Wells Fargo Bank where it is located.

Kincaid Park +

Kincaid Park is the southern terminus of the delightful Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, making it popular with cyclists most of the year while hikers love the 1400-acre park as trails wind through a rolling terrain of forested hills where there are views of Mt Susitna, Mt McKinley on a clear day and fiery sunsets in the evening. In the winter cross-country skiers invade Kincaid Park.

Oscar Anderson Home +

Oscar Anderson was the 18th person to set foot in Anchorage and built his house in 1915. Today his home is the city's oldest wooden-framed house and has been preserved as the Oscar Anderson Home. Overlooking the delightful Elderberry Park, the museum is open June to mid-September.

Potter Section House +

Located southwest of Anchorage along the Seward Highway is the Potter Section House. The structure began as a dorm for workers building the Alaska Railroad. Today it doubles up as the Chugach State Park headquarters and a free museum with a snowplow train and other railroad-era artifacts.

Russian Jack Springs Park +

Named after the original homesteader of the site, Russian Jack Springs Park is spread over 300 acres and features tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, a picnic area and the Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouses that are full of tropical plants, exotic birds and fish.

Semipro baseball +

Anchorage 's hometown teams in the Alaska Baseball League are the Anchorage Bucs and Anchorage Glacier Pilots. Both semipro teams play at Mulcahy Ball Park, where living legend Mark McGuire slammed a few homers.

Ship Creek Salmon Viewing Platform +

From mid- to late summer, king, coho and pink salmon spawn up Ship Creek, the historical site of Tanaina Indian fish camps. The Ship Creek Salmon Viewing Platform is the best place to witness this natural phenomenon in Anchorage. Or arrive with a rod-and-reel and try to catch one.

Wild Salmon on Parade +

The wildest fish in Anchorage are found along streets as part of the Wild Salmon on Parade, an annual event in which local artists turn fiberglass fish into anything but fish. The art competition has resulted in a fish with boxing gloves titled "Socked Eye Salmon" and "Marilyn MonROE" to "Fish & Chips," a poker-playing halibut. The 30 or so colorful fish appear on the streets in early June and stick around until September.